Olivia Powell
Olivia joined Tom's Guide in October 2023 as part of the core Future Tech Software team, and is the Commissioning Editor for Tech Software. With a background in cybersecurity, Olivia stays up-to-date with all things cyber and creates content across TechRadar Pro, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide.
After graduating with a degree in English Literature from the University of Exeter, Olivia got her official start in journalism writing magazines for the events industry, writing for Exhibition News, Conference News, All Access, Exhibition World and Conference and Meeting World both in print and online. After this, she delved into the world of customer experience at CX Network, then the cybersecurity sector when she became Editor in Chief for Cyber Security Hub. This saw her create content from webinars to blogs to research reports on all things cyber before finally ending up at Tom's Guide.
Olivia was also shortlisted for Security Serious' Unsung Heroes award in the Cyber Writer category in 2023.
When not writing about the latest in tech software, Olivia can be found reading mystery novels, watching the X-Files or doing valuable research in her quest to find the best Italian restaurant in London.
Latest articles by Olivia Powell
Can my employer see I'm using a VPN?
By Catherine Hiley published
A VPN can be useful in and out of the workplace, but can they be detected?
You can now check if your data has been leaked thanks to Surfshark's new tool
By Olivia Powell published
This free online data leak checker will let you know if your data has been compromised
What are keyloggers?
By Sam Dawson published
A guide to what this info-stealing spyware is and how to avoid it
What is the difference between VPN apps and browser extensions?
By Catherine Hiley published
Everything you need to know about the differences between VPN apps and browser extenstions
What is end-to-end encryption?
By Catherine Hiley published
A guide to what end-to-end encryption is, and why you should use it
What is multi-hop?
By Sam Dawson published
We explore how multi-hop VPNs keep your data extra safe
It's Cybersecurity Awareness Month – here are 3 tools to keep you safe online
By Olivia Powell published
Keep yourself safe through October and beyond with these 3 cybersecurity tools
NordVPN introduces post-quantum encryption for future-proofed privacy
By Olivia Powell published
NordVPN will introduce quantum-resilient encryption to all its apps by 2025, future-proofing its protection for all users.
Is NordVPN still worth buying?
By Olivia Powell published
This VPN has retained its top spot in our rankings – here's why
It's official: Opera VPN does not log your data
By Olivia Powell published
Opera has proven that its free VPN does not log or store user data
Proton VPN review
By Olivia Powell last updated
VPN Proton VPN is a very capable VPN, and will appeal to those looking for a more techy experience. However, it can't quite match the best of the best.
Facebook, Instagram and YouTube have privacy practices that could put your data at risk
By Olivia Powell published
Facebook, Instagram and YouTube could store your data for up to 180 days after your account's been deleted
The best Smart TV VPN 2024
By Aleksandar Stevanović last updated
VPN A Smart TV VPN is the perfect tool for accessing blocked content, but the wide variety of devices can cause issues. Here's our full guide.
What are zero-day attacks?
By Sam Dawson published
A guide to what zero-day attacks are, why they're so impactful and what you can do to guard against them
How much should a VPN cost?
By Olivia Powell published
You might not have to pay top dollar for top-level protection – but certain features can really run up your bill.
4 ways to test if your VPN provider is trustworthy
By Catherine Hiley published
4 ways to tell that your VPN comes from a trustworthy provider
What can you do to protect yourself from Q-Day?
By Krishi Chowdhary last updated
Quantum computers will soon be able to break the internet and invade our privacy, but post-quantum VPNs present a viable solution
Are free VPNs safe?
By Sam Dawson last updated
VPN When it comes to no-fee VPN services, what you save in cash may cost you in both privacy and security.
VPN routers are being targeted by botnets – here's how to keep safe
By Olivia Powell published
All the signs your device is part of a botnet – and how to prevent it from happening
Does using a VPN drain your battery?
By Catherine Hiley published
We explore what impact, if any, a VPN has on your battery life
New sextortion scam combines stolen data to target victims directly
By Olivia Powell published
Scammers are attempting to extort victims by using their stolen data to claim they have been surveilling them
Don't lose trust after data breaches – 4 tips to keep your data safe
By Olivia Powell published
The four best ways to protect your personal information online, from masked emails to fake identities.
No-logs versus zero-logs: what’s the difference?
By Ben Stockton published
We explore the differences between no-log and zero-log VPN policies
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